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ironspiderlink's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
reflective
tense
medium-paced
4.5
mattinthebooks's review against another edition
4.0
I really like Wendell Berry’s writing style and choice of subject- he blends together poetry and prose quite well, especially if you enjoy romanticism and nature poems
sharanyasarathy's review against another edition
5.0
I read this book in 2 days but as soon as I finished I had an urge to read it again slower in order to actually understand what it was telling me.
This book reminded me overwhelmingly of Grapes of Wrath but with a less clear boundary between an older way of life and the modern. I particularly enjoyed the order of the stories, and the way the same characters came circling around until the gathering at the end of the last story.
I found this book so soothing and thought it effectively captured the wistfulness and nostalgia of a bygone time and a small community holding onto those ways and values. At the same time I’d be interested to hear if this is a romanticization of small farming communities in Kentucky and Appalachia.
This book reminded me overwhelmingly of Grapes of Wrath but with a less clear boundary between an older way of life and the modern. I particularly enjoyed the order of the stories, and the way the same characters came circling around until the gathering at the end of the last story.
I found this book so soothing and thought it effectively captured the wistfulness and nostalgia of a bygone time and a small community holding onto those ways and values. At the same time I’d be interested to hear if this is a romanticization of small farming communities in Kentucky and Appalachia.
ashro's review against another edition
4.0
I gave this 4 stars because even though I generally do not like short stories, I love the writing of Wendell Berry. This is worth the read if you like Berry.
karenluvstoread's review against another edition
3.5
Fidelity is a collection of short stories set in the town of Port William. In this collection, readers of Wendell Berry’s works may recognize some familiar characters. Interestingly enough, because of reading this work, I learned about a genre I didn’t know existed: small town rural. Berry definitely writes small town rural well. And this collection of short stories is no exception. These stories are a slower pace, written with a reflective, meditative tone. If you like books that are quiet and contemplative, then I think you will like this collection. It has a nostalgic feeling to it, like the old days of everyone sitting in rocking chairs on their front porch visiting. In this collection, the one entitled “Fidelity” was probably my favorite.
ceelpayne's review against another edition
5.0
I cannot say it better than Noel Perrin of the Los Angeles Times Book Review. "The rarest (and highest) of literary classes...[this] whole book is vintage Berry." I think Wendell Berry is absolutely unique and irreplaceable as an author. He could only write what he writes by living in his place on earth. His ability to span the generations of that place and get to the heart of the many overlapping generational and national issues has taught me to live in full consciousness today, in my place. Mr. Berry is a national treasure.
jazzyrazzy's review against another edition
hopeful
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
These short stories were a sweet picture of a small community dedicated to each other and the land over generations. Each story carried a meaningful event that gave insight to who the characters are. I enjoyed the real life pace of the book. It made me feel apart of it all.
elianachow's review against another edition
4.0
Nothing quite like reading these short stories in one sitting in a small-town coffee shop while Mumford & Sons plays over the speakers. Halfway through my stay, a woman walked in reading Robinson’s “Lila,” and the picture felt whole.